Articulating firearm fore grip

ABSTRACT

An articulating fore grip adapted for retrofit attachment to a rail-like support structure of an existing firearm. The fore grip comprises a base member which is slidably attachable to and selectively positionable along the rail of the firearm. The base member is outfitted with a locking mechanism which is operative to selectively maintain the base member in a prescribed position relative to the rail. The fore grip further comprises an adapter member which is rotatably connected to the base member, and a handle member which is pivotally connected to the adapter member. The rotatable and pivotal connection of the handle member to the base member effectuated by the adapter member allows the handle member to be selectively positioned in a multiplicity of differing angular orientations relative to the rail of the firearm, and further allows the handle member to be selectively moved between a fully deployed position and a fully collapsed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to firearms and, moreparticularly, to a fore grip which is adapted for retrofit applicationto an existing firearm and is articulable in a manner allowing for theselective movement thereof to a collapsed position or into any one of amultiplicity of differing angular orientations as needed to accommodatea particular user preference.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known to firearm enthusiasts, large caliber and otherautomatic firearms are often difficult to control when firing, with alack of control often resulting in muzzle rise which can cause themarksman to shoot above an intended point of aim or target. The controlof muzzle rise has been accomplished in the prior art through the use ofa pistol-style grip, often referred to as a fore grip, at a fixedlocation under the barrel of the firearm, near the muzzle thereof.

In certain prior art firearms outfitted with a fore grip, such fore gripis permanently mounted in a fixed position under the barrel of thefirearm. While such fixed fore grip may still serve the marksman well insome situations, it usefulness is limited since its permanent locationmay not be ideally suited to the preferences of the marksman. Alongthese lines, when shooting firearms, it is typically important that thefirearm be maintainable in a steady, stable position by the user toensure the accuracy of the aim.

In recognition of the deficiencies associated with permanently fixedfore grips, there has also been developed in the prior art fore gripswhich are moveably mounted to the firearm so as to be capable ofmovement along a single axis, such axis typically running beneath and ingenerally parallel relation to the barrel of the firearm. Moreparticularly, such moveable fore grips usually include a base portionand a handle portion, the base portion being slidably attached to arail-like structure defined by the firearm and extending along theunderside of the barrel thereof. In this regard, the base portion andthe rail of the firearm are typically formed to have complimentary dovetail or prismatic cross-sectional configurations, thus substantiallypreventing the removal of the fore grip from the rail in a directionperpendicular to the available axis of movement. Once such fore grip ismoved to a desired position upon the corresponding rail, the fore gripis typically maintained in such position by the tightening of one ormore mechanical fasteners such as set screws which extend through thebase portion and into direct engagement with the rail. Though beingmoveable along the rail, the prior art sliding fore grip is capable ofextending along only one axis which extends generally perpendicularlyrelative to the movement axis.

As will be recognized, the above-described sliding or “slip-on” foregrips provide advantages over those which are permanently fixed to thefirearm in that such sliding fore grips may be maintained in any one ofa multiplicity of different positions relative to the barrel and muzzleof the firearm according to user preference. Though providing somemeasure of adaptability attributable to movement relative to the railalong a single axis, the prior art sliding fore grips are still unableto accommodate users of the firearm whose preference is to have the foregrip extend along an axis or at some angular orientation relative to therail differing from that to which the prior art sliding fore grip islimited as explained above. Further, the prior art fixed and slidingfore grips also do not possess the capability of being moved into acollapsed state for ease of fireman storage. Though the sliding foregrip may be removed from the fireman to assist in storage, such removalgives rise to a risk of the detached fore grip being misplaced. Thepresent invention addresses many of the aforementioned deficiencies offixed and sliding fore grips by providing an articulating fore gripwhich may selectively positioned at any one of a multiplicity ofdiffering angular orientations relative to the barrel or rail of afirearm, thus having the capability of accommodating a substantiallywider range of user preferences. In addition, the articulating fore gripof the present invention is capable of being pivoted to a collapsed orstowed position to simplify storage of the firearm. These, as well asother features and attributes of the present invention will be discussedin more detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided anarticulating fore grip which is adapted for retrofit attachment to arail-like support structure of an existing firearm. The fore gripcomprises a base member which is slidably attachable to and selectivelypositionable along the rail of the firearm. The base member is outfittedwith a locking mechanism which is operative to selectively maintain thebase member in a prescribed position relative to the rail. The fore gripfurther comprises an adapter member which is rotatably connected to thebase member, and a handle member which is pivotally connected to theadapter member. The rotatable and pivotal connection of the handlemember to the base member effectuated by the adapter member allows thehandle member to be selectively positioned in a multiplicity ofdiffering angular orientations relative to the rail of the firearm, andfurther allows the handle member to be selectively moved between a fullydeployed position and a fully collapsed position.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other features of the present invention, will becomemore apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an articulating fore gripconstructed in accordance with the present invention as operativelypositioned upon a firearm which is shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the fore grip shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the fore grip of the presentinvention similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but depicting the fore gripas rotated approximately 90° relative to the position shown in FIG. 2 asa precursor to the movement of the fore grip to a collapsed position;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the fore grip of the presentinvention as moved into a fully collapsed position; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the fore grip taken along line 5-5of FIG. 1 and illustrating the available range of movement of the handlesection of the fore grip relative to the barrel of the firearm to whichit is operatively coupled.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detaileddescription to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, andnot for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate anarticulating fore grip 10 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. In FIGS. 1-5, the fore grip 10 is depicted in an exemplary,operative position upon a firearm 12 such as an automatic rifle. Theexemplary firearm 12 comprises a receiver 14 which transitions into anelongate, cylindrically configured barrel 16 defining a muzzle 18 at itsdistal end. Extending along a portion of the underside of the barrel 16is an elongate magazine tube 20. The magazine tube 20 defines anintegral rail 22, an enlarged section of which is shown in each of FIGS.2-5. The rail 22 extends along an axis A1 as shown in FIG. 2, such axisA1 extending in spaced, generally parallel relation to an axis definedby the cylindrically configured barrel 16 of the firearm 12. The firearm12 further includes a magazine 24 which extends along an axis A2 shownin FIG. 1. The axis A2 itself extends generally perpendicularly relativeto the axis A1.

The fore grip 10 of the present invention comprises a base member 26which is slidably attachable to the rail 22 in the manner best shown inFIGS. 2-5. In this regard, the base member 26 defines a generallyU-shaped channel 28, the vertical side walls of which each include acontinuous, generally V-shaped slot or notch 30 extending therealong.The notches 30, which extend in opposed, generally parallel relation toeach other, are adapted to receive respective ones of a complimentarypair of elongate, generally V-shaped protuberances 32 which are formedon opposed sides of the rail 22 and each extend in generally parallelrelation to the axis A1. As will be recognized by those of ordinaryskill in the art, the releasable engagement of the fore grip 10 to therail 22 is effectuated by the advancement of the base member 26 over therail 22 such that the protuberances 32 are received into respective onesof the notches 30. Once the base member 26 is slidably engaged to therail 22 via the receipt of the protuberances 32 into the notches 30, theresultant mechanical engagement between the base member 26 and rail 22prevents the removal of the fore grip 10 from the rail 22 in a directionwhich is generally parallel to the axis A2. However, the base member 26is slidably moveable along the axis A1, and thus selectivelypositionable anywhere along the length of the rail 22 as indicated bythe arrow shown in FIG. 2.

The base member 26 of the fore grip 10 further comprises a lockingmechanism which is adapted to maintain the base member 26, and hence thefore grip 10, in a prescribed position relative to the rail 22. Inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmechanism comprises at least one, and preferably a pair of lockingscrews 34. As best seen in FIGS. 2-5, each of the locking screws 34 isadvanced through one of the vertical side walls of the base member 26defining the channel 28 thereof, and is cooperatively engaged to theremaining one of the vertical side walls of the base member 26. Moreparticularly, the engagement of the locking screws 34 to the base member26 is facilitated in a manner wherein the tightening of the lockingscrews 34 (i.e., the rotation of the locking screws 34 in a clockwisedirection) effectively draws the spaced vertical side walls defined bythe base member 26 toward each other in a manner narrowing orconstricting the channel 28 and facilitating the frictional retention ofthe base member 26 in a prescribed position relative to the rail 22.Conversely, the loosening of the locking screws 34 (i.e., the rotationof the locking screws 34 in a counter-clockwise direction) allows thebase member 26 to be selectively slidably moved along the rail 22 in thedirection of the axis A1.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that lockingmechanisms other than for the above-described locking screws 34 as areoperative to maintain the base member 26 in a prescribed position uponthe rail 22 are contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. For example, the locking screws 34 may be substitutedwith set screws which are selectively engageable to the rail 22.Additionally, it is also contemplated that the base member 26 and therail 22 may have complimentary configurations varying from that shown inFIGS. 2-5. For example, complimentary dove tail cross-sectionalconfigurations are contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, the complimentary notches and protuberance 30, 32shown in FIGS. 2-5 being exemplary only.

In addition to the base member 26, the fore grip 10 of the presentinvention comprises an adapter member 36 which is rotatably connected tothe base member 26. More particularly, as seen in FIGS. 2-4, therotatable connection of the adapter member 36 to the base member 26 isfacilitated by a pin 38, the upper end of which is exposed in thatsurface of the base member 26 defining the floor of the channel 28thereof. The rotatable connection of the adapter member 36 to the basemember 26 effectuated by the pin 38 allows the adapter member 36 to berotated about an axis A3 in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 2.The axis A3 extends generally perpendicularly relative to the axis A1,and in generally parallel relation to the axis A2 when the base memberis slidably attached to the rail 22.

In addition to the base and adapter members 26, 36, the fore grip 10comprises a handle member 40 which is pivotally connected to the adaptermember 36. More particularly, the pivotal connection of the handlemember 40 to the adapter member 36 is facilitated by the advancement ofthe adapter member 36 between a juxtaposed pair of ear portions definedby the handle member 40. Subsequent to such advancement, a pivot pin 42is advanced through coaxially aligned openings formed through each ofthe ear portions defined by the handle member 40 and the adapter member36, thus facilitating the pivotal connection of the handle member 40 tothe adapter member 36. When pivotally connected to the adapter member 36via the pivot pin 42, the handle member is selectively pivotal about anaxis A4 which is defined by the pivot pin 42 and extends generallyperpendicularly relative to the axis A3.

When the fore grip 10 of the present invention is slidably attached tothe rail 22 in the above-described manner, and in its basic, operativeposition, the adapter member 36 and handle member 40 each extend alongthe axis A3 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. However, due to the pivotalconnection of the handle member 40 to the adapter member 36 effectuatedby the pin 42, the handle member 40 may be selectively pivoted orrotated relative to the adapter member 36 about the axis A4 in themanner shown in FIG. 5. As is apparent from FIG. 5, when moved to eitherof its pivotal extremes, the handle member 40 extends along an axis A5which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the axis A3, as wellas the axis A4. Though shown at the extreme limits of its pivotalmovement about the axis A4 in FIG. 5, those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that the handle member 40 may be pivoted about theadapter member 36 so as to assume a position along any axis extendingbetween the axis A5 and the axis A3 and/or between the axis A5 and theaxis A4. In this regard, the handle member 40 may be manipulated toassume a position along any one of a multiplicity of different axeswhich are each a function of the orientation of the adapter member 36relative to the base member 26 lying at or somewhere between the twoorientations shown in respective ones of FIGS. 2 and 3 and/or theorientation of the handle member 40 relative to the adapter member 36lying at or somewhere between the orientations shown in FIG. 5. Thus, incontrast to the above-described prior art fore grips which are onlyextensible along the axis A3, the handle member 40 of the fore grip 10constructed in accordance with the present invention may be selectivelyrotated and pivoted to assume any one of a multiplicity of angularorientations relative to the axis A1 as needed to accommodate aparticular user preference.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, in addition to the fore grip 10 beingselectively moveable along the length of the rail 22 and the handlemember 40 thereof angularly positionable relative the rail 22 in theaforementioned manner, the handle member of the fore grip 10 is furtherselectively movable between a fully deployed position (shown in FIG. 2)and a fully collapsed or stowed position (shown in FIG. 4). Tofacilitate the movement of the handle member 40 from its fully deployedto its fully collapsed positions, the adapter member 36 (and hence thehandle member 40) is initially rotated approximately 90° from itsorientation shown in FIG. 2 to the orientation shown in FIG. 3. As isapparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, such rotation of the adapter member 36effectively causes the pin 42 to move from a position wherein it extendsin generally parallel relation to the axis A1, to a position wherein itextends in generally perpendicular relation to the axis A1. Subsequentto the rotation of the adapter member 36 as causes it to assume theorientation shown in FIG. 3, the handle member 40 is pivotal about thepin 42 to assume the stowed or collapsed position shown in FIG. 4wherein the handle member 40 extends in generally parallel relation tothe axis A1. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that themovement of the handle member 40 to its collapsed position shown in FIG.4 may be accomplished so that the base of the handle member 40 isdisposed closer to the muzzle 18 than to the magazine 24, oralternatively closer to the magazine 24 than to the muzzle 18. Themovement of the handle member 40 back to its fully deployed position isaccomplished in the reverse sequence.

Though not shown, it is contemplated that the handle member 40 may behollow, and define an interior battery department which is accessible bya removable base portion thereof. The batteries or other power supplyadvanced into the interior compartment defined by the handle member 40may be used to provide power to an accessory of the firearm 12, such asa laser site.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the depiction ofthe firearm 12 included in FIG. 1 and partially in FIGS. 2-5 isexemplary only, and that the fore grip 10 of the present invention maybe retrofit to any firearm having a rail-like structure which is capableof being slidably engaged with the base member 26 of the fore grip 10 ina manner similar to that described above. Additionally, the handlemember 40 of the fore grip 10 may be provided in a shape or contourdifferent from that shown in FIGS. 1-5 without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention.The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplaryembodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by thespecification or implied by the specification, such as variations instructure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may beimplemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

1. A fore grip for retrofit attachment to a rail of a firearm, the foregrip comprising: a base member adapted to be slidably engageable to therail; an adapter member rotatably connected to the base member; and ahandle member pivotally connected to the adapter member.
 2. The foregrip of claim 1 wherein the base member defines an elongate channelsized and configured to receive a portion of the rail.
 3. The fore gripof claim 2 wherein: the channel is partially defined by an opposed pairof side walls of the base member; and each of the side walls includes anelongate slot formed therein, the slots of the side walls extending inspaced, generally parallel relation to each other and being adapted toreceive respective ones of a complimentary pair of protuberances definedby the rail.
 4. The fore grip of claim 3 wherein the base memberincludes a locking mechanism adapted to maintain the base member in aprescribed position relative to the rail.
 5. The fore grip of claim 4wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking screw whichis operative to selectively draw the side walls toward each other in amanner frictionally maintaining the base member in a prescribed positionrelative to the rail when the base member is slidably attached thereto.6. The fore grip of claim 1 wherein: the rail of the firearm extendsalong a first axis; the adapter member is rotabably connected to thebase member so as to be rotatable about a second axis which extendsgenerally perpendicularly relative to the first axis when the basemember is slidably attached to the rail; and the handle member ispivotally connected to the adapter member so as to be pivotal about athird axis which extends generally perpendicularly relative to thesecond axis when the base member is slidably attached to the rail. 7.The fore grip of claim 6 wherein the handle member defines a juxtaposedpair of ear portions, and a portion of the adapter member is advancedbetween the ear portions of the handle member.
 8. The fore grip of claim7 wherein the handle member is pivotally connected to the adapter memberby a pivot pin which is advanced through the adapter member and the earportions of the handle member.
 9. A fore grip for a firearm, comprising:a base member defining a first axis; an adapter member rotatablyconnected to the base member so as to be rotatable about a second axiswhich extends generally perpendicularly relative to the first axis; anda handle member pivotally connected to the adapter member so as to bepivotal about a third axis which extends generally perpendicularlyrelative to the second axis.
 10. The fore grip of claim 9 wherein thebase member defines an elongate channel sized and configured to receivea portion of a rail of the firearm.
 11. The fore grip of claim 10wherein: the channel is partially defined by an opposed pair of sidewalls of the base member; and each of the side walls includes anelongate slot formed therein, the slots of the side walls extending inspaced, generally parallel relation to each other and being adapted toreceive respective ones of a complimentary pair of protuberances definedby the rail.
 12. The fore grip of claim 11 wherein the base memberincludes a locking mechanism adapted to maintain the base member in aprescribed position relative to the rail.
 13. The fore grip of claim 12wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one locking screw whichis operative to selectively draw the side walls toward each other in amanner frictionally maintaining the base member in a prescribed positionrelative to the rail when the base member is slidably attached thereto.14. The fore grip of claim 9 wherein the handle member defines ajuxtaposed pair of ear portions, and a portion of the adapter member isadvanced between the ear portions of the handle member.
 15. The foregrip of claim 14 wherein the handle member is pivotally connected to theadapter member by a pivot pin which is advanced through the adaptermember and the ear portions of the handle member.
 16. A fore grip for afirearm, comprising: a base member defining a first axis; and a handlemember rotatably and pivotally connected to the base member so as to berotatable about a second axis which extends generally perpendicularlyrelative to the first axis, and pivotal about a third axis which extendsgenerally perpendicularly relative to the second axis.
 17. The fore gripof claim 16 wherein the handle member is rotatably and pivotallyconnected to the base member by an intervening adapter member.
 18. Thefore grip of claim 17 wherein the adapter member is rotatably connectedto the base member so as to be rotatable about the second axis, and thehandle member is pivotally connected to the adapter member so as to bepivotal about the third axis.
 19. The fore grip of claim 16 wherein thebase member includes a locking mechanism adapted to maintain the basemember in a prescribed position relative to a rail of the firearm whenthe fore grip is mounted thereto.
 20. The fore grip of claim 19 whereinthe locking mechanism comprises at least one locking screw.